Who is the idiot here?

Welcome to the new game sweeping the nation! Let's play...WHO IS THE IDIOT?!

First up, as reported by AJC.com, we have a Chinese national who was visiting Yellowstone National Park:

The man...was seen Tuesday by another visitor walking on the terrace formations near the 45-foot tall Liberty Cap.

The Liberty Cap at Yellowstone. 

(hat tip to Weather Underground for the pic)

The man proceeded to collect "thermal water from Mammoth Hot Springs". Sounds pretty stupid, right? But it's his life, right?

Not quite...

Next up, we have Ranger Bob and his enforcers of government stupidity...

(hat tip to YOWP for the gif)

Investigators located the man, who said he had not read the safety information given to visitors at the entrance to Yellowstone and admitted to collecting water from the hot springs. He was given the fine and a $30 court processing fee. Authorities said he would be required to appear in the Yellowstone Justice Center Court for "boardwalk travel in a thermal area."

On top of that, he is facing a $1,000 fine for being stupid. In other words, aside from his own risk to his own life and limb, we will fine him! We will not allow human stupidity on our watch!

Before you nature fanatics claim it is to protect nature, let me remind you: He took WATER! 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by WATER! I will let you figure out how we can prevent people from collecting water with that much of it around...

Back on topic, explain to me how this prevents people from being stupid? Clearly, it doesn't, since he did it anyway.

Decision time! WHO...IS...THE IDIOT? The guy who risked his life to collect something that covers 71% of the Earth, or the Ranger Bobs who enforce a silly law designed to stop people from possibly hurting themselves, but that clearly doesn't work with extreme stupidity?

I don't know. My head hurts just considering this...